Instead, we loaded up the SUV and accepted an invitation from an OBH friend, Pawgevity, to attend their Octoberfest out I-66 at The Plains exit. OBH is a BIG fan of Carol and her Pawgevity raw food and Pawgevity has long shared OBH’s blog with their fans so it was time to meet in person – finally!

The weather was perfect for fall and when we arrived the straw bale maze was already in place along with a few vendors and some farmers’ market yummies (of course we had a carmel apple!). While we did not partake in the costume contest and didn’t stay for the straw bale toss, the day was sprinkled with activities for dogs and their guardians.

Of course it wouldn’t be an OBH story without something mortifying – haha. Indie and Karma were naturally excited to be in a new place with so much going on. As predicted, on two 6′ leashes they always wanted to be 18′ apart and I had a few moments where I threatened like any mom would, “If you don’t behave, you’re going back in the car.” And so on. I was unreasonable (perhaps) about my expectations of my dogs who have earned a sum total of 20 titles and I later apologized to them. (And really, they weren’t so bad)

However … the mortifying part was when some nice, well-meaning woman with a 10-pound dog came up to me to suggest that if I used the harness she had in her hand perhaps my dogs would stop pulling. OMG. Deep breath. I reminded myself she meant well and I came up with some reason why they were pulling and how we were all set without the harness. After she left, I tuned to the dogs, “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?” Of course not. Heck, they probably were laughing their tails off!

I wised up and put Karma in the car while Indie played with her new friends and then switched them once Indie was tired and Karma had settled. A much happier experience for all of us.

Thanks again to Pawgevity for a great outing and for reminding me that dogs will be dogs and I love them no matter what.

Lucky for me, Karma could care less. However, my previous dog, Dugan, was terrified. I remember the exact day it started, too. It was July 3 and a neighbor was shooting off fireworks for his son’s birthday. Unfortunately they were practically in the backyard so the noises were up close.

This is when Dugan would sit on my head. Yup. Since fireworks work best in the dark, we were already tucked in for the night and he decided the safest place was by my head. Poor baby literally didn’t know what to do.

Ah, but Dugan was really smart – in this case, too smart. He transferred his fear of fireworks to thunder. And then figured out that lightening preceded thunder so he became afraid of that as well, even if there was no clap to follow. The ultimate transference happened when we moved to San Francisco right outside a (electric) bus stop. If you’ve ever been to SanFran you know that the busses “zap” and create mini “lightening.” Now I had a dog afraid of electric busses.

Today I would do what I do best and throw money at the problem. My friends at AgileDogs Rock!! sell a great new product called “Thundershirts” that the dog wears like a type of dog coat. It works by gently applying pressure and creating a “squeezing” effect which is scientifically proven to calm animals and people. (Think Temple Grandin and her squeeze shoots)

Other ways to help

• Keep you dog physically away from the fireworks or thunder as much as possible. A quiet place in the house, a safe corner, a favorite bed in just the perfect spot can all help to reduce anxiety.
• Turn on the lights, turn up some soothing music and create other distractions. Try playing games or doing other activities the dog enjoys.
• Incorporate Bach Flower Remedies which have formulas for specific situations like this.
• Be sure your pet is wearing ID in case he decides to make a run for it.

What about Dugan? Well since he was such a smarty-pants, he eventually figured out that “bus lightening” didn’t mean that thunder would follow. As a matter of fact, that micro-climate rarely has thunderstorms so he came to decouple the lightening from the thunder. Once that happened, he sort of just let the thunder go. Of course, he was 12 at the time!

My very favorite reason to build this type of engagement with your pup is just that – engagement! Working together builds that all-important bond while increasing confidence in both of you!

Here are several ways you can amp-up your exercise regime. Hopefully it will give you even more ideas:

Active commands | “Pushups” or “Puppy Pushups” are a great example of combining physical movement with thinking and general control. Have your dog begin in a “sit” then ask for a “down” then have him push up back into a sit. You’re conditioning muscles and mind while creating a great distraction behavior to use next time you’re waiting in the vet’s office.

Aerobics | Maybe not Jane Fonda style, but your pup needs to get his cardio on regularly. Just like you, your dog’s body gets used to the usual lap around the neighborhood and it can cease to be much of a workout over time. Vary the lengths, speed and intensity regularly.

Fun in the rain | Well not in the rain but while the weather is yucky bring a little agility indoors. Jumping through a hula-hoop started close to the ground can be another way to combine physical and mental challenges. Just watch the breakables and do not do this on bare, slippery floors!

Tag, you’re it! | Want to strengthen those recalls and improve cardio? Work distance recalls and increase the speed at which your dog returns to you. Leave the dog in a sit/down/stay position and go out only as far as you think your dog can be successful. Call your dog (or whatever your recall command is). Only when he starts to come and get closer do you turn and run, increasing distance and speed over time. Reward the dog only when they run to you, not by you! You’ll get faster and more consistent recalls and get those hearts beating (both of you!).

Get into the box | One of the best “shaping” exercises you can do – indoors, too – is interacting with a plain ol’ cardboard box. With the top of the box open, reward your dog for stepping in it – front feet, back feet, all feet. Then flip the box over and have him put his front paw(s) on it, then back feet then (depending on the size of your latest UPS delivery) all feet. The idea is to reward the dog for interacting with objects on his own. Not until they reliably do a behavior do you start to name it. The hardest part is not luring them, but letting them offer up behaviors in an attempt to earn the treat. Now if Karma even sees a box he will start offering me behaviors with it.

I work a bunch of these things into our daily lives. Often I will “announce” one of these ultra-short sessions with the question, “Do you want a chance to earn?” Guess what the answer is?

This fabulous poster was sponsored by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and was reprinted from the Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed., 1998. The poster is available for purchase and the information is also available online.

The following is simply a list of the plants, but the poster also provides information on habit/distribution, affected animals, important characteristics, toxic principles and effects and treatment.

• Agave Americana: aka Century Plant, American aloe
• Aglaonema modestrum: aka Chinese evergreen, Painted drop tongue
• Agrostemma githago: aka Corn cockle
• Allium cepa, A canadense: aka Onion (cultivated & wild)
• Aloe barbadensis: aka Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe
• Apocynum: aka Dogbanes
• Asclepias: aka Milkweeds
• Brunfelsia pauciflora var floribunda: aka Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, Lady of the night
• Caladium: aka Fancy leaf caladium, Angel wings
• Cannabis sativa: aka Mary Jane, Marijuana, Grass, Pot (you know the slang!)
• Capsicum annuum: aka Cherry pepper, Chili pepper, Ornamental pepper, Capsicum
• Cestrum diurnum, C nocturnum: aka Day-blooming Jessamine & Night-blooming Jessamine, respectively
• Chlorophytum: aka Spider plant, St. Bernards’s lily, Airplane plant
• Cicuta: aka Water hemlock
• Colchium autumnale lilaceae: aka Autumn crocus, Crocus, Fall crocus, Meadow saffron, Wonder bulb
• Conium maculatum: aka Poison hemlock
• Convallaria majalis: aka Lily-of-the-valley, Conval lily, Mayflower
• Crotalaria: aka Rattlebox
• Cyclamen: aka Snowbread, Shooting Star
• Datura stamonium: aka Jimson weed, Thorn apple
• Daubentonia punicea: aka Rattlebox, Purple sesbane
• Dieffenbachia: aka Dumbcane
• Digitalis purpurea: aka Foxglove
• Dracaena: aka Dragon tree
• Euphorbia pulcherrima: aka Poinsettia, Christmas flower, Christmas star
• Gelsemium sepervirens: aka Yellow jessamine, Evening trumpet flower, Carolina jessamine
• Hyacinthus: aka Hyacinths
• Ilex aquifolium: aka English holly, European holly
• Kalanchoe: aka Air plant, Cathedral bells
• Kalmia: aka Laurel, Ivybush, Lambkill
• Lilium longi florm: aka Easter lily, Trumpet lily
• Nerium oleander: aka Oleander
• Persea Americana: aka Avocado pear, Alligator pear
• Philodendron
• Phoradendron flavescens: aka Mistletoe
• Ricinus commusis: aka Castor bean
• Rhododendron: aka Azalea
• Sansevieria: aka Snake plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue
• Schefflera: aka Umbrella Tree
• Sesbania: vesicara: aka Bladderpod, Rattlebox, Sesbane, Coffeebean
• Solanum pseudocapsicum: aka Jerusalem cherry
• Solanum: aka Nightshades, Jerusalem cherry, Potato, Horse nettle, Buffalo Bur
• Sorghum vulgare: aka Sudan grass, Kafir, Durra, Milo, Broomcorn, Schrock
• Taxus: aka Yew
• Xanthium: aka Cocklebur
• Zamia pumila: aka Coontie, Florida arrowroot, Seminole bread, Cycad

This weekend we strolled with the dogs around The State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce which is about 60 miles west of Washington, DC.

Sure, it’s still early in the season so there were only a few spring flowers in bloom and many of the perennials we just poking up through the mulch. What struck me the most is how natural the entire property is. Unlike some formal arboretums with rows of English-like gardens, this one flatters the existing landscape and showcases many native species.

The other thing you will notice is the diversity and the depth of the collections. From the most extensive boxwood collection in North America to the ginkgo grove to more than half of the world’s pine species. All of this is nested in the Shenandoah Valley among rolling meadows, towering firs and Lake Georgette.

We literally just meandered around for about an hour – sometimes on a road, sometimes a path, sometimes cutting across the meadow. You could spend as much time here as you like. Be aware that you will be in the sun most of the time (weather permitting, obviously) so bring lots of water for your pooch. Karma was sporting his Kool Coat which I doused with water a few times.

My suggestion? Bring some wine and cheese and enjoy the sunset!

Facts:

• Open 365 days, free of charge.
• Dog and horse friendly – dogs must be on a leash and horses on the defined bridle path.
• There is a picnic grove available for gatherings.
• Memberships and tours available.
• No hunting and fishing should be obvious.
• More information

Their website does a beautiful job conveying the beauty and comfy vibe but you really have to experience it – and we did. Saying that Jan and Mike are dog friendly is an obvious understatement. Not only are dogs invited, they receive a little goody each morning when the breakfast picnic basket arrives (photo) at the door with the newspaper and daily newsletter.

Our cabin was a perfect mix of practical and luxurious. We took advantage of the refrigerator for the lunches and snacks we packed as well as the hot pot for tea and cocoa. They provide sheets to cover the bed and/or furniture in case your pup prefers to snuggle.

Saturday night we had dinner in the lodge and the food was fantastic along with the wine list. There was a fire going in the lobby and bar area, adding to the homey feel. This was in perfect contrast to the cold and rainy weather.

Sunday we had an early lunch before giving the dogs one more opportunity to play and get muddy! Dogs are allowed off leash at times so long as they are on their best behavior. The combination of melting snow, rain and mud gave me the final push to drive Karma straight to Vienna Pet Spaw for a bath on our way home.

A special thanks to Dr. Kim Danoff for suggesting this wonderful getaway! We are already planning a September return trip!

As I may have mentioned (like a hundred times), my dog LOVES the cold but in some ways, that can almost make it harder to notice early signs that even my snow dog has to come in from the cold. Once Karma played so long in the snow that his paws were bright red that night and painful the next morning. So even if your dog loves this weather, please read on. These tips were taken from information on AKC.org.

• Don’t leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time or certainly without monitoring. Windchill affects them just as much so pay attention.
• Adequate shelter is a necessity! Even inside, make sure your dog is protected from drafts and too-cold floors. Provide options for them – from beds to towels to bare floors – so they can mange their needs.
• Watch out when walking near bodies of water that may look frozen as looks can be deceiving and weak spots occur.
• Keep you dog well groomed in order for his natural insulation to function properly. You may also need to clip hair in some places if it is holding onto snow – like the bottoms of feet.
• If your dog needs a coat, get him a coat! We like the Foggy Mountain coats but there are literally thousands to choose from. (also check out our previous post!)
• You may need to feed additional calories if your dog is spending a lot of time outdoors. It takes more energy in the winter to regulate body temperature. Just don’t go overboard!
• Be sure to thoroughly dry you dog after he comes in from the rain or snow and check the condition of his feet.
• Don’t leave your dog in a car as it can get cold in there fast. And running the engine doesn’t help, as the carbon monoxide fumes can be dangerous.

We went after work on a Friday and unfortunately rain was heading our way so we didn’t really get any playtime with the dogs outside before going in for our tasting. However, on the “heels” (pun intended) of Katina’s last “tune-up” post, we were in the mindset of having the dogs be well-behaved guests.

The winery prides itself on being both dog and family friendly and they are! They are also content if you bring your own snacks though they do offer cheese plates and other goodies that go well with their varied selection of wines.

Katina and I belied up to the wine bar for our tastings as the dogs greeted everyone that would look their way. The tasting was a mix of BOW wines and other wines from both near and far. Because the owners are such dog fans, their bottles have photos of their dogs and their dessert wine – which I bought – is named “Chocolate Lab.”

The atmosphere was really great  - complete with wonderful live music after 6p – and after the tasting we sat down to chat over a glass of wine as the dogs practiced behaving and calmly saying hello to all who came their way. It was both a good socializing exercise for the dogs and a lovely evening for us!

We were told that on nice days there are dozens of dogs roaming off leash on the property and they welcome any dog that plays well with others! We look forward to going back soon and highly recommend it!